Best Books in 2011 (that I read)

I had a brilliant idea! I love recommending books to people, and last year was a year full of wonderful books! So here goes...

1) The Help by Katherine Stockett
~ I don't even think I need to elaborate on this considering most people have read it and/or watched the movie by now! All I have to say is, READ IT! I don't care if you've seen the movie. The book is phenomenal and still well worth your time.

2) The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
~ I couldn't get enough of this creative genius of a book! It is truly the most imaginative book I have ever read. Morgenstern creates a whole world that exists in a traveling circus that only opens once night has fallen. In this atmosphere two magicians, Celia and Marco, must compete in a battle challenge that one of them will not survive. They are unaware of who their opponent is, and know very little about the actual challenge. After a series of innocent meetings, the pair falls in love. I know you're rolling your eyes right? Give it a chance! It is an absolutely mesmerizing novel. You won't want to leave the world she immerses you in.

3) The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
~ The beautiful and moving story of young girl who has spent her whole life moving from one foster home to the next. The one thing Victoria is truly passionate about is the Victorian Language of Flowers. Once she is emancipated from the system she becomes homeless in a park where she plants her first garden. Her gifts are discovered by a local florist and soon she is given a job. She uses her talent to help people convey messages with flowers. Not only will you learn a ton about flowers, you will be moved by Victoria's story as she struggles with a tumultuous past and tries to create a future free of the baggage.

4) One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
~ The most life changing, beautiful book I have ever read! Ann has a way of using language to its fullest, everything comes alive and everything is so beautiful. My life felt so different while I was reading this book and I am starting it again because I loved the way it changed me. 

5) Unplanned by Abby Johnson
~ This book will probably get its own blog post... It is the story of a woman who was the Director of a Planned Parenthood in Texas. After being called into a room to watch an ultrasound guided abortion she left the clinic to join the Coalition for Life. Her story is unbelievable, and long story short, it brought me to where I am today.

6) Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
~ This was just a really well written and fascinating book. It takes place during WW2 in California. A Chinese boy becomes friends with a Japanese girl and their friendship is challenged and ultimately torn apart when Keiko is taken to a Japanese Internment Camp. This book highlights a side of WW2 that we don't pay attention to often enough. SO GOOD!

7) The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
~ Just a flat out amazing story! She endured so many hardships and turned out okay! Walls writes about a childhood that was downright pitiful, without an ounce of self pity.

8) The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden both by Kate Morton
 ~I am totally hooked on Kate Morton. Her 3rd book is accompanying me to Mexico :) She is just so imaginative and draws on history and romance and mystery. Her books are so whimsical!

This list really has only just begun! But being as I have no internet at home, it's proving to be very difficult to finish these posts! So here's a partial post!

A New Year

I don't know if I've ever felt this energized about a new year. Although according to a bunch of crazies, it's the last year :) So I better make it the best ever right? I have a feeling it's going to be a big year in the Spinniken household.

Fabulous Things I Already Know Are Happening in 2012:

• I become Auntie Rach! Baby Girl Swinger, our first niece is due to arrive in 17 short days!
• A trip to Cozumel with my wonderful hubs, and brother & sister-in-law
• A Spinniken family fun weekend in Muskegon!
• Baby Boy Penninga, our first nephew, due to arrive in 3 1/2 months!
• A cruise on the Nauticat this summer with my family
• Our 2nd anniversary?! What?!

Hopes & Dreams for 2012:

• Drink more water!
• Spend more time in prayer
• Read a C.S. Lewis book, other than Screwtape Letters & Narnia
• Read at least one book a month
• Keep my house clean more often
• Figure out how to keep up on laundry and keep Pete's laundry from ruining mine!
• Be happier outside this winter
• Actually exercise
• Crochet an ENTIRE afghan
• Use our dang Juicer
• Visit my Grandparents more often
• Become pregnant :)
• MOVE INTO OUR HOUSE! high hopes here, but there's a better chance this year than ever before!
• Visit the cottage more than once
• Cuddle with my niece and nephew as much as possible!
• Explore creativity
• Cross Country Ski
• Make use of this blog 
• Freeze fresh fruit when it's in season, sounds easy enough, but we fail at this every year :(
• Make jam
• Garden? And keep some potted plants ALIVE for a change
• Make more relationships within our church
• Watch lots of sunsets!
• And most of all, find MOTIVATION